Home Gaming So You Got Yourself a PS3. Now What?

So You Got Yourself a PS3. Now What?

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PS3slimNew

Were you one of the lucky people who managed to snag yourself a cheap PS3 in yesterday’s blitz at Pick ‘n Pay? Perhaps one of the opportunistic sort who made use of other stores’ price matching services? Either way you’ve now got yourself a brand new toy – one that contains some pretty cool tech – and you’re now wondering just what to do with it.

Sony’s most recent marketing campaign for the device touts it as a device that “Only does everything,” and they’re not far off. Let’s have a look at what your PS3 slim can do.

Blu-Ray

bluray

It is, of course, a particularly capable Blu-ray player, meaning you can now experience the joy of high Definition movies in your own home – provided you’re sporting  an HD TV. A next generation optical disc, Blu-Ray allows for higher fidelity in both video and audio giving you the best possible home theatre experience. The increased capacity afforded by the disc also allows for a wealth of extra material, making it a must for film collectors.

Recommended titles : Iron Man, The Dark Knight, Blade Runner Collector’s Edition, 2001 : A Space Odyssey, Baraka

Blu-Ray isn’t the only media your new PS3 is good for though, it also functions perfectly as a Media Server :

Media Server

Whether streaming pictures, music, or movies from your network-connected computer, the PS3 does it all – and, quite frankly, better than the competition. Install a media server application on your PC – I recommend PS3 Media Server (Available for Windows, Mac and Linux) – and all the media you share from that computer is now available. It supports just about any format you throw at it, and for what it doesn’t it allows you to do on-the-fly transcoding. Remember, the PS3 comes with built-in wireless, so no cables running through your living room – and no expensive wireless adapters either. You can also copy your media to the console’s standard 2.5” SATA HDD, which is user replaceable.

Oh, as an aside PS3 Media server Also works for streaming to the Xbox 360, without having to deal with that Windows Media Player nonsense.

The Playstation Network

HeaderUnlike the 360, The PSN is actually supported locally – registering for the PSN is easy and items are priced in local currency. It also doesn’t use a system of buying points in any sort of denominations leading to wasteful points overflow – you can add the exact amount required to your online wallet, which you can then use to purchase PSN games, game add-ons as well as other things like digital comics. Unlike on the 360 though, not every game has a trial or demo, but there are many available.

Recommended PSN Purchases : Wipeout HD (and its subsequent Fury add-on) are absolutely necessary, as are  Super Stardust HD, Flower and anything prefixed with “PixelJunk”.  See here for more info.

The Games

theGamesPeople who already owned HD consoles wouldn’t be looking to the PS3 for titles available on the 360 as well – what you’ll want is the systems library of incredible exclusives. Sony’s first-party studios have developed some of this generation’s best games, like :

God of War III – Just recently released, the final chapter in Kratos’ trilogy offers some of the systems best visuals, presented in a colossally grand scale. Our own Nick is busy playing it, and according to him he’s “Blown away.” Look out for his review soon.

Uncharted and Uncharted 2 : Nathan Drake’s adventures on the PS3 have supplanted Ms Croft’s as the premier action-adventure games available. the sequel, in particular highlights the console’s graphical prowess, but it’s a pretty darned good game too.

Heavy Rain, the latest bit of interactive drama from Quantic Dreams is yes, a series of quick-time events – but so brilliantly presented that it doesn’t really feel like that’s all there is to it. Scenes and scenarios are able to exact tension, and genuine emotional involvement. It’s not for everyone, but the people that it does resonate with will find it one of this generation’s best gaming experiences.

LittleBigPlanet is another game that’s not for everyone. Its cutsey platforming might deter some core gamers, but it’s some of the most fun I’ve had on my PS3, especially when played with 3 friends locally. It’s also the first in the Play.Create.Share series of games that allow for user-created content – and the users have indeed created. There are over 2 million levels available to download.

Other games continue franchises from the PS2, like Metal Gear Solid 4, Ratchet and Clank and Killzone 2, while games like MAG look to offer new multiplayer experiences.

if you’re looking for a cool community of PS3 gamers to aid you on your new path, look no further than PS3ZA

That then, is a lot of goodness to keep new PS3 users busy. The PS3 veterans among you, please feel free to add other suggestions to our new brethren in the comments.

Last Updated: March 19, 2010

14 Comments

  1. WingNut

    March 19, 2010 at 12:20

    Ugh this is such a PS3 fanboi site! 😉 :tongue:

    :blush:

    Reply

    • Geoff

      March 19, 2010 at 12:42

      LOL.

      Don’t worry..soon enough in the comments you’ll see some turkey going on about how we never, ever post anything nice about the PS3.

      Reply

  2. Fred

    March 19, 2010 at 12:28

    Hustle Kings and Zen pinball on PSN are quite good.

    Reply

  3. evilredzombie

    March 19, 2010 at 12:33

    I wonder how many units was sold yesterday… I got one and selling my old phat to a buddy

    Reply

  4. Ron

    March 19, 2010 at 12:54

    So… you have a PS3…now you need a TV…

    I am selling a practically brand spanking new LCD, with warranty.

    Sony Bravia KLV-32T550 LCD TV. 2x HDMI Ports, Bravia Engine 3 Technology, in box with all manuals and so forth. It’s been turned on about 4 times dudes. The reason I am seeling it is because I won another TV at the same time so I no longer need this one.

    Interested? Drop me a mail: viatyr@gmail.com

    Reply

  5. Bonk

    March 19, 2010 at 13:16

    Typical Lazygamer placing the games at no.3 slot. you are such fanboys. :angel:

    Reply

    • Geoff

      March 19, 2010 at 13:47

      The PS3 has games?

      Reply

      • WitWolfyZA

        March 23, 2010 at 09:27

        I bought my PS3 because the Piano black matches with my LG HD tv…

        Reply

  6. Bobby Kotick loves his PS3

    March 19, 2010 at 13:43

    I love my PS3! I LOVE IT!

    Reply

  7. Brian Murdoch

    March 21, 2010 at 08:26

    The Nintendo Fanboy that I am, and I got one of those PS3 from Pick ‘n Pay.
    This post is actually quite informative, thanx’s Geoff.

    Installing the PS3MediaServer as I type.

    Reply

  8. Fuzy

    March 22, 2010 at 08:50

    You missed out a few other features:

    * Web browsing – It’s not Firefox but if you want to go through Youtube videos etc it’s quite good.

    * HDMI Anynet support – If you see an Anynet button your TV’s remote you can use your TV remote to control the media function on the PS3.

    * Bluetooth headset support – If you already own a decent BT headset for your phone, don’t bother buying the official headset as you can pair the PS3 with any BT headset.

    Anyone else think of any more?

    Reply

    • WitWolfyZA

      March 23, 2010 at 09:25

      true true about the headset. but i bought myself a R350 head set just to find out its crap. I heard the Official headset is the best one to get

      Reply

  9. WitWolfyZA

    March 23, 2010 at 09:20

    I love my PS3. Havent played 360 in 3 weeks now 😀 im guessing my XBL friends probably think i got banned lol

    Reply

  10. ClericZA

    March 23, 2010 at 11:27

    If only it included the HDMI and Optical cables that you need to truly make it next-gen. Still, loving my PS3 and all those games you’ve recommended are the cream of the crop. My I punt the Ratchet and Clank series?

    Reply

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